Pain & Fever

Fever

Fever

Simple guidance can help parents understand their child’s fever and know when to call their healthcare professional.

Brought to you by:

MOTRIN®
TYLENOL®

Parent counseling tips

How to keep kids with fever comfortable

How to keep kids with fever comfortable
  • Try not to worry: Fevers can be uncomfortable, but they are one of the body's ways to fight illness or infection
  • Prevent dehydration: Make sure your child is drinking plenty of water. If they can’t or won’t, give them a frozen treat or fruit juice. For a baby, provide extra formula or breast milk throughout the day.
  • Keep things cool: Dress your child in light clothes, keep their room cool with a fan, or sponge bathe your child in a tub with 1 to 2 inches of lukewarm water
  • Try a fever reducer: TYLENOL® or MOTRIN® can help lower a fever
 

Pediatric Fever Resource

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Symptoms to watch for

Keep an eye out for the following symptoms, which could indicate a problem when coupled with a fever:

  1. Lethargy: Your child has lost his or her appetite, has little energy, or is noticeably pale or flushed, or you notice other changes in behavior or appearance
  2. Rash: Your child has small, purple-red spots on his or her skin that don’t turn white when you press on them, or large purple blotches
  3. Difficulty swallowing: Your child is unable to swallow and is drooling excessively
  4. Difficulty breathing: Your child has difficulty breathing even after you clear his or her nose with a bulb syringe
  5. Bad mood: Your child seems delirious, glassy–eyed, or extremely cranky or irritable

If you notice any of these symptoms with a fever, call your pediatrician right away. Be sure to also mention other symptoms such as a cough, ear pain, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Good to know

Recent consensus guidelines from AAP for febrile infants

Evaluating young febrile infants involves a delicate balance between caution and a desire to avoid subjecting patients to unnecessary procedures. Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released detailed consensus guidelines for the workup and treatment of well-appearing infants with rectal temperatures ≥ 100.4 °F.

The guidelines include algorithms for diagnostic testing of 3 age groups:8 to 21 days, 22 to 28 days, and 29 to 60 days.

Along with these guidelines, the AAP recommends involving the family in all decision-making.

Encourage parents to talk with you or another healthcare professional if they have questions or concerns.

 

Featured resources

Pediatric Fever Resource

Pediatric Fever Resource

Guidance on when to treat fevers and how to manage the pain.

Download resource
Fever tracker

Fever Tracker

Helpful chart for parents to keep track of temperatures, dosage, symptoms, & more.

Download chart
Cold & Flue Resource

Cold & Flu Resource

Effective home treatment tips, plus a helpful guide to cold and flu symptoms.

Download handout

Discover more pain and fever resources in the Resource Suite

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.